Use of heat-to-light conversion member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current photovoltaic power generation systems are inefficient in converting sunlight into heat, as they fail to accelerate heating of the heating medium effectively and lack optimal light-to-heat conversion capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A light-to-heat conversion member comprising a composite material of semiconductor and metal particles, specifically Ag, Mo, or Cu dispersed within FeSi2, forming a film with adjustable thickness and lamination with metal and transparent dielectric layers to enhance optical selectivity and conversion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional photovoltaic systems use simple collectors to gather sunlight, then the system structure remains simple, but the heating efficiency of the heating medium is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining semiconductor particles (FeSi2) with metal particles (Ag, Mo, Cu) to create a light-to-heat conversion member. This composite structure enables efficient sunlight absorption and conversion to heat, directly addressing the heating efficiency problem while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure. The semiconductor-metal composite provides both high absorption capability and effective heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If covering materials are provided on container surfaces to promote sunlight absorption, then light absorption is improved, but heat radiation loss to the exterior increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesunlight absorptionVSAvoidheat radiation loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a selective surface with specific optical properties. The light-to-heat conversion member is designed to have high absorption in the visible and near-infrared solar spectrum while maintaining low emissivity in the thermal infrared range. This localized optimization of optical properties at the coating level enables simultaneous improvement of sunlight absorption and reduction of heat radiation loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If selective absorbing films with complex multilayer structures are used, then optical selectivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical selectivityVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials consisting of semiconductor particles (FeSi2) combined with metal particles (Ag, Mo, or Cu) to achieve high optical selectivity. This composite approach provides effective sunlight absorption and heat conversion with a relatively simple two-component structure, avoiding the complexity of traditional multilayer dielectric-mirror structures while maintaining high reliability in optical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If metal particles are dispersed in semiconductor to form composite material, then light-to-heat conversion efficiency is improved, but material fabrication difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidfabrication difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the size, concentration, and distribution of metal particles within the semiconductor matrix. By controlling particle diameter (typically 1-100 nm) and metal content (1-50 wt%), the fabrication process becomes more manageable while maintaining high conversion efficiency. These parameter optimizations make the composite material suitable for various deposition techniques including sputtering and chemical vapor deposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables efficient conversion of light to heat with improved optical selectivity, accelerating the heating process and surpassing the efficiency of existing systems by varying sunlight absorption properties through metal content adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

the member comprises a composite material of one or more kinds of semiconductor and one or more kinds of metal material... efficiently convert light to heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

converting light to heat... accelerating the heating process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat generation: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2913604B1Use of heat-to-light conversion member
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP2913604B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2913604B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a heat conversion member capable of efficiently converting light to heat. This heat conversion member is characterized in that it includes a composite material of at least one type of semiconductor and at least one type of metal material.